NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BERMUDAS. 39 



Wilson's " Ornithology." Strange to say, this is the only 

 instance of the Woodcock {Rusticola americand) having 

 been met with in Bermuda. As Mr. Fozard was Snipe 

 shooting at the time, it was most likely in the month of 

 October or November that this bird was killed. 



October i^tk, 1847. — Saw a very perfect specimen of the 

 "Crake Gallinule" in the possession of the Rev. H. B. 

 Tristram, also some Pectoral and Semipalmated Sandpipers; 

 the latter are by no means uncommon just now. 



October 14th, 1847. — At 4 p.m. went out with my gun to 

 seek Snipes. In the meadow below Government House, 

 disturbed a small flock of six strange birds, which rose 

 from the grass and perched themselves upon some tall reeds 

 growing in a ditch close by. Four specimens were im- 

 mediately shot, another wounded one escaped among the 

 reeds, and the sixth bird very wisely absconded. On 

 examining these birds I was much pleased to find they were 

 the Rice Bunting (Dolichonyx oryzivord), in their autumnal 

 plumage, and of course a new bird for our Bermudian 

 ornithology. Length, six and a half inches. Mr. Fozard, 

 who was with me, killed a very pretty specimen of the Water 

 Thrush — this, with one Snipe and two solitary Sandpipers 

 completed our evening's chasse. Observed an American 

 Bittern on the wing, but failed in finding it a second time. 



October \<>th, 1847. — Went out with Major Dunsmure, 

 42nd Highlanders, and beat the Governor's Marsh. Found 

 the Bittern mentioned yesterday, which I shot. Saw 

 another flock of Rice Buntings, and killed three specimens; 

 these, with a couple of Snipe, completed our chasse in that 



